| 摘要: | 民雄鄉為目前嘉義縣人口最多的鄉鎮，為探索其影響因素以及長期人口成長的歷程與空間分布之差異，並期待能成為其他鄉鎮人口研究比較之基礎。本文自1905年（明治38年）起至2009年（民國98年）為止，區分為日治及光復後兩大時期，探討民雄鄉百年來的人口成長與分布之變遷，研究結果發現： 日治前、後期人口成長趨緩的原因與幅度有所不同，日治前期（1905〜1920）因地震、瘧疾、傳染疫病的影響，導致人口負成長，日治後期（1921〜1943）人口成長趨緩主受氣候天災與戰爭的影響，但減少幅度較前期為小。日治前期因縱貫鐵路全線通車與大林糖廠設立的影響，人口成長率曾一度高於全臺平均，而日治後期因防疫、防瘧工作日見成效，人口增加幅度遠超過前期。 日治時期受大林糖廠設立的影響，東部丘陵區人口成長最為明顯，但有超過九成的人口分布於西部平原區，且以打猫街為發展核心，人口分布最為集中稠密，周圍各庄因鄰近市街且灌溉水源充足，亦為人口主要分布區。 光復後1946〜1960年代，因政治、社會日趨穩定，醫療與農業生產條件改善，各村別人口皆有所成長，但主要來自高出生率，人口外移則相當明顯。人口集中地區仍延續日治時期人口分布情形，以民雄市街及其鄰近地區為主，因開發早且居優勢交通區位，加上灌溉水源充足，光復後仍為人口聚集之地。 1970〜2000年代，工業區設立的後續效應與大學院校的成立，使民雄鄉人口成長再創高峰。人口成長地帶皆以工業區為中心，再往四周擴散，各年代擴散方向有異。1970年代人口分布重心逐漸南移，民雄市街的地位亦面臨轉變。綜觀光復後各年代的年平均人口成長率皆超過嘉義縣平均值，顯見民雄鄉的優勢。 民雄鄉百年來人口成長的演變，日治時期多受自然增加影響，光復後人口成長起伏的態勢係受社會增加所主導。大環境的改變，牽動著民雄鄉人口成長與分布情形，但在地因素亦是影響當地人口成長與分布的關鍵因素，諸如地理風水的破壞、在上位者的欺壓、土地所有權的型態等。
Minsyong Township has the most population presently in Chiayi County, so the study attempts to probe into its causes of effects on the population, the long-term course of the population growth and the difference of population spatial distribution in Minsyong Township. The researcher anticipates that the results of the study can be used as a basis for future population studies in any other township. The study aims to investigate the transition of population growth and distribution of Minsyong Township from 1905 (Meiji 38 years) to 2009 (Republic of China 98 years), which is devided into Japanese colonial period and period after retrocession. The results of the study show that the range and reason of becoming slower of population growth are different between Pre-Japanese colonial period and Post- Japanese colonial period. During Pre- Japanese colonial period (1905~1920), the population growth became negative because of earthquake, malaria and infectious diseases. During Post- Japanese colonial period (1921~1943), the population growth became slower mainly because of the climate disasters and the war, but the reduced range of population growth in this period was narrower than the pre-period. In Pre- Japanese colonial period, the rate of population growth of Minsyong Township once became higher than the average of population growth of Taiwan because the North-south railway was open to traffic and Dahlin Sugar Refinery was set up. And the range of population increas in Post- Japanese colonial period was higer than that in pre-period because the epidemic and malaria prevention were achieving marked success. During Japanese colonial period, affected by the institution of Dahlin Sugar Refinery, the population increase in the eastern hills region was the most obvious; however, over 90% populations were distributed in the western plains region, centered around Taniyau street, the most densely populated area. The villages in the neighborhood also became inhabited districts because they were close to Taniyau street and had sufficient irrigation water. From 1946 to 1969 after retrocession, the population of each village in Minsyong Township grew because the politics and society were getting stable day by day and the conditions of medical treatment and agricultural production were improved. However, the main reason of population growth was from the high birthrate in Minsyong Township. In addition, the situation of out-migration was also quite obvious. Continuing the same population distribution as in Japanese colonial period, the densely populated areas were still distributed around Minsyong streets and their neighborhood. Because of its development early, superiority over trafficc location and sufficient irrigation water, Minsyong Township was still the most densely populated area even after retrocession. From 1970 to 2009, the following effects of the institution of industrial parks and the establishment of universities made the population growth of Minsyong Township reach its peak again. The population growth areas centered around industrial districts, and then extended all around. The directions of extension were different in various ages. In 1970s, the focus of population distribution moved to south gradually and the position of Minsyong streets was faced with changes. After retrocession in various ages, the annual mean population growth rate of Minsyong Township was higher than any other township. The superiority of Minsyong Township was quite obvious. For hundred years, the evolution of population growth in Minsyong Township was affected by the natural increase during Japanese colonial period. However, after retrocession, the situation of population growth fluctuation was led by the social increase. Though the changes in the environment had an effect on the population growth and distribution of Minsyong Township, the local factors such as the destruction of Feng Shui, the tyranny from people in upper position, the type of land ownership, etc., were also the key factors which influenced the population growth and distribution of Minsyong Township. |
